Art and Design
Yewland’s Art Department Vision
‘The Art Department believe that education is inclusive and strive to provide an exciting and challenging curriculum which reflects the needs of all our pupils; unlocking their creative potential and making them feel supported. We are committed to our students and their learning and wellbeing, offering a subject that teaches core skills in a variety of materials, techniques and processes. Teaching will be consistent and creative to engage pupils making them want to learn, be successful and enthusiastic about Art.’
Welcome to Yewlands Art Department
Our curriculum is designed to provide a challenging curriculum that unlocks student’s creative potential and increasing their proficiency in key areas such as drawing, painting, mixed media, design, photography, and digital imaging with clear investigation of the work of artists and designers that will inform students own creative journey’s.
We aim to create an inclusive and positive environment where students are encouraged to experiment with ideas and techniques to develop a ‘can do’ attitude. From Y7 onwards, we will raise student’s awareness of the broad range of creative industries and opportunities where art and design can make a difference.
Homework is set regularly in lessons and put onto Microsoft Teams. All lessons are put onto Teams for students that are unable to attend school. Students can submit their classwork and homework digitally or physically.
Art Curriculum
In Year 7, students study the basic principles of art, learning about tone, line, texture, composition etc. Students learn how to use a variety of media under the theme of ‘natural forms’, students study artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and are encouraged to make connections with her work then develop their own ideas for a final piece. In their second project, students look at self-portraits across time, place and culture. They investigate relevant artists then develop ideas for a final mixed media self-portrait.
In Year 8, students complete 2 projects . The first, introduces students to Pop Art Students will explore the work of key artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. They then develop ideas for a Pop Art inspired montage. Their second project begins by exploring symbols, patterns, colours found in Aboriginal Art. Then gain an understanding of the key aspects of Aboriginal culture and the important role of art. Students will then choose a creature that they will use as an icon for an aboriginal style image. They will design and create an Aboriginal –style painting.
In Year 9, students are investigate portraits and explore ways of distorting the face. They are taught how to draw portraits in proportion and from different perspectives. They explore a variety of styles such as Cubism and Surrealism then develop ideas for their own personal piece based on distorting facial features. This leads to a final piece that combines a range of media and techniques learnt over the last 3 years. In addition, they undertake preparatory work for GCSE courses and all gain experience of using digital imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop.
Year 10 and 11 - GCSE Fine Art and GCSE Photography (3 x 50 minute lessons each week)
Exam board: AQA
GCSE Fine Art students undertake 2 coursework projects in Art. The coursework projects are structured in a way that will allow them to choose and work with their own individual theme. The time for each project is split into four, with each period being focused on one of the four assessment objectives. This structure encourages them to be more independent and ensures that they are fully prepared to undertake the exam at the end of their course. Each student is expected to undertake one hour’s homework each week. This time should be used to complete any unfinished pieces and to start new investigations. By the end of the course, students will have gained knowledge of a wide range of artists’ and designers’ work. Furthermore, they will be confident in techniques such as drawing, painting, printmaking, papier-mache, clay, photography, animation and computer graphics.
GCSE Photography students explore the Visual Elements such as Line, Shape, Pattern, Texture, Composition and Colour. They learn how to use all the different camera controls, lighting techniques and how to manipulate images in Photoshop. They then carry out projects where they research and respond to a wide variety of Photographers' work. The 4 coursework projects are - Nature, Movement, Out of Place and Messages.
Everything they do in their Art and Photography lessons, and for homework, is coursework and is worth 60% of the final grade. In March of Y11, they have a 10-hour exam spread over 2 days. this is worth 40% of their mark.
Extended learning
Clubs:
KS3 Art Club Wednesday - U10 3pm - 4pm
KS4 Art and Photography - Extended learning once a week Monday 3pm - 4pm
KS4 Lunch Time Art Club – Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Art Enrichment:We aim to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of Art and Design, and invite artists to work with both KS3 and KS4 classes. In addition, we to take students out of the art rooms on enrichment trips to local and national galleries. In the Autumn Term, Y10 Art and Photography GCSE students get to visit the Tate Gallery and the Albert Dock to help enrich their Art and Photography portfolios.
Art Homework
What kind of homework do we set?
KS3: Each half term, students are expected to complete independent learning projects linked to their current classwork. This could be making observational drawings, researching an artist or creating ideas for classwork projects.
Year 10 and Year 11: Students are often set tasks related to completing or extending their classwork.
It may involve researching and responding to an artist or photographer.
They are expected to spend an hour each week on independent study.
What are the timescales for homework completion?
KS3: Students are given 3 weeks to complete each task.
Year 10 and Year 11: When homework tasks are set then the deadline will be clearly laid out for the students to record.
What resources are there to help students with their homework?
KS3: Resources are displayed on the Art homework display board in U10 and U11, including key websites/books that might help.
Year 10 and Year 11: The Art rooms are available for students to use and gain support after school. These sessions take place on Monday to Friday 3pm - 4pm.
Who are the key staff we can contact?
Mr Ingham Head of Art or Mrs J. Wilson Teacher of Art.